U.S. DOT Promotes Government-mandated Project Labor Agreements in Infrastructure Grant Program
In a concerning development for the merit shop contracting community and hardworking taxpayers, the U.S. Department of Transportation is encouraging the use of government-mandated project labor agreements on federally assisted construction projects funded through a grant program administered by the DOT’s Build America Bureau. On Feb. 17, the DOT announced it is seeking applicants for […]
2021 Update: Courts Rule in Favor of #NoPLA Laws Promoting Fair and Open Competition
Numerous courts continue to uphold pro-taxpayer federal and state laws and/or executive orders prohibiting anti-competitive and costly government-mandated project labor agreements. Advocates of government-mandated PLA schemes have been unsuccessful in challenging such laws in the courts. As discussed in this February 4, 2021, letter to the Biden administration, ABC supports fair and open competition laws […]
February 2021 Update: ABC’s Fight Against Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements
Among the many anticipated policy changes that will impact the construction industry following the November 2020 elections, the Biden administration and the 117th Congress are likely to attempt to enhance and expand the federal government’s current controversial policy of promoting costly government-mandated project labor agreements on taxpayer-funded construction projects. Doing so would create a rigged […]
How Will The 2020 Election Shape Federal Policy on Project Labor Agreements?
The construction industry is watching the outcome of the 2020 elections closely as it will shape federal policy regarding government-mandated project labor agreements and other hot-button labor and employment issues of importance to the construction industry.
The District of Columbia Council Is Wasting Taxpayer Money on Project Labor Agreement Schemes
District of Columbia voters and businesses monitoring revenue shortfalls and proposed tax hikes in the D.C. Council’s FY2021 budget, passed July 23 and awaiting future action from Mayor Bowser, should be concerned about $50 million to $100 million in waste and increased costs resulting from a scheme by some D.C. Council members and construction trade […]
Many Construction Industry Multiemployer Pension Plans Remain in Financial Distress
Merit shop contractors are typically wary of competing for taxpayer-funded construction contracts which are subject to government-mandated project labor agreements. Often their main concern is the viability of defined benefit multiemployer pension plans, which expose their businesses to potentially catastrophic MEPP liability. Information about the health of construction industry MEPPs provided by the U.S. Department of […]
Virginia Delays Enactment of Prevailing Wage and PLA Mandate Laws Until May 2021
During its annual reconvene/veto session April 22, the Virginia General Assembly agreed with Gov. Ralph Northam (D) and delayed the effective date of two laws permitting prevailing wage and project labor agreement requirements on taxpayer-funded public works projects. The General Assembly originally sent these bills, passed via party line votes, to the desk of Gov. […]
Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements Harm Construction Industry Workforce Development Efforts
ABC members overwhelmingly say that government-mandated project labor agreements harm their company hiring and workforce development practices and ability to complete work safely, on time and on budget. Almost 97% of survey respondents said the PLA provisions that would require their firm to hire most or all of their company’s apprentices from union-only apprenticeship programs […]
Study: Project Labor Agreement Mandates Inflate the Cost of Connecticut School Construction by 19.8%
Study: Connecticut schools built under controversial government-mandated project labor agreements cost 19.8% more than schools that were bid and constructed through fair and open competition, free from PLA requirements.
Lawsuit Against Westmoreland County Project Labor Agreement Tests Boundaries of SCOTUS Janus Decision
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Pennsylvania’s September 23 lawsuit argues that Westmoreland County’s project labor agreement with the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council runs afoul of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Janus vs. AFSCME.